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    2021 Jun 28

    Virtual Summer Science Week: Spineless Wonders (Session 1)

    Repeats every day until Fri Jul 02 2021 .
    9:30am

    9:30am
    9:30am
    9:30am
    9:30am

    Location: 

    Harvard Museum of Natural History—Online

    Come explore—virtually—the amazing world of insects, spiders, and other invertebrates at the museum! During live Zoom sessions, see a tarantula up close, help find millipedes, and listen to the hiss of a giant cockroach. Learn how to continue your own investigations at home by collecting and studying creepy crawlies. Gain a new appreciation of the 97 percent of all animals on Earth that survive and thrive without a backbone!

    Dates: June 28–July 2, 2021
    Open to children entering grades 1–4:

    • Grades 1–2 meet 9:...
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    2021 Jun 19

    In the Groves

    5:30pm to 7:30pm

    Location: 

    Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Boston

    Immerse yourself in the deep beauty of trees in this story and music journey through the Arboretum. Led by Oracle award-winning storyteller Diane Edgecomb and Celtic harper Margot Chamberlain, this unfolding performance of ancient tales and songs from cultures around the world takes place in a variety of groves—birch, cherry, and evergreen—at some of the Arboretum’s loveliest spots.

    This event is free, but registration is required and limited. Not designed for children under 12, and dogs are not allowed. COVID guidelines will be followed.

    ...

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    2021 Jun 09

    Virtual Glass Flowers Tour

    6:00pm

    Location: 

    Harvard Museums of Science & Culture—Online

    Join us for a virtual tour of the famous Glass Flowers! This docent-led tour will delve into the history, artistry, and significance of the collection and give participants the opportunity to explore the gallery online. These interactive tours are approximately one hour long, and offer time for questions and discussion with your tour guide.

    Cost: $8 members, $10 nonmembers

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    2021 May 22

    Forest Bathing with Toadstool Walks

    Repeats every week every Sunday until Sun May 30 2021 except Sun May 23 2021.
    9:00am to 11:00am

    9:00am to 11:00am

    Location: 

    Bussey Street Gate, Arnold Arboretum, Boston

    Join Tam Willey of Toadstool Walks as you slow down and awaken your senses on a guided therapeutic experience in the Arnold Arboretum. Forest bathing is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, a restorative sensory exploration that supports health and healing for all beings. Each walk is limited to 8 participants. Meet at the Bussey Street Gate. Participants must follow COVID guidelines including wearing a mask and practicing social distancing, as well as sign a liability and release form.

    Learn more about and RSVP for Forest Bathing with Toadstool Walks:
    ...

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    2021 May 22

    Spring Bird Walk

    8:00am to 9:30am

    Location: 

    Peters Hill Gate, Arnold Arboretum, Boston

    Join three experienced birders for a 90-minute walk suitable for beginners and experienced birders alike. Meet at the Peters Hill Gate for this walk in the landscape to see Arboretum birds. Space is limited to 30 and the group will be divided into three sections. COVID-19 guidelines of masks and social distancing will be required. Bring binoculars if you have them.

    ...

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    2021 May 20

    Wild Collection and Propagation of Rare and Endangered Plants

    10:30am

    Location: 

    Arnold Arboretum—Online

    In Massachusetts alone, plants make up more than half of the total native species that are officially considered Endangered, Threatened, and Rare. In this talk, we will focus on how ex-situ plant conservation, coordinated plant collection efforts, and plant propagation play vital roles in preserving biodiversity and slowing the deleterious effects of climate change.

    We will discuss how collection trips are planned—and how citizen science now plays a role in these efforts—while providing a behind-the-scenes look at the planning process. A large focus will be plant propagation...

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    2021 May 19

    After-School Animal Encounters: Movement

    3:00pm to 3:45pm

    Location: 

    Harvard Museum of Natural History—Online

    Can you slither, hop, jump, climb, or even fly? How would you do these things with zero, two, four, or even a hundred legs? As winter melts away and warmer springtime weather blows in, all animals big and small are as excited to get out and move around as we are! Join human museum staffers Javier and Ryan in this live 45-minute family program as they discuss and take a look at some of our amazing animals in motion.

    Advance registration for this family friendly program is required.

    ...

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    2021 May 17

    My Octopus Teacher: Virtual Panel Discussion

    6:30pm to 7:30pm

    Location: 

    Mind Brain Behavior Interfaculty Initiative at Harvard—Online

    "My Octopus Teacher", Oscar winner for Best Documentary, follows filmmaker and naturalist Craig Foster as he develops an unusual bond with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest. Come hear four experts discuss the unique human/animal connection captured in this film.

    Learn more about and RSVP for My Octopus Teacher: Virtual Panel Discussion.

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    2021 May 11

    Conserving the American Chestnut

    7:00pm to 8:00pm

    Location: 

    Arnold Arboretum—Online

    The American Chestnut tree used to comprise approximately one quarter of the forest canopy in the eastern United States. Then in the early 1900's, chestnut blight decimated the nearly four billion American Chestnut trees. The wildlife value and economic value of these trees was unparalleled. Today, scientists and supporters are working to restore the American Chestnut tree to its former glory. Join us for a panel discussion with expert scientists who will discuss the history of the American Chestnut as well as current research to restore the trees.

    ...

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    2021 May 11

    A Season of Lilacs at the Arnold Arboretum

    1:00pm

    Location: 

    Arnold Arboretum—Online

    Lilacs come in a wide range of color, size, flower form, and leaf. Arnold Arboretum docent Chris McArdle will take you on a free, virtual tour of many of these varieties, by way of images from the actual plants in our landscape. From her long years of experience in the lilac collection, and as a docent, she will introduce you to many fascinating histories, anecdotes, as well as the people instrumental in bringing us these much-anticipated May bloomers. From their 17th century beginning in North America, up to some fabulous present-day cultivars, you will experience the breadth of our...

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    2021 May 01

    Guided Tree Meditation

    3:00pm to 4:30pm

    Location: 

    Outside at the Arnold Arboretum

    This guided tree meditation offers an opportunity to connect and ground the self with the environment around.

    Surrounded by the beauty and life of the Arnold Arboretum, this meditation will be benefitted by the ancient awareness and alchemy of trees and the subtle healing capacities of nature. Join us if you’re ready to root yourself into the energy of spring! 

    Attendance is limited to 10 people so please only register if you can attend. 

    This event will be held outside at the Arnold Arboretum, socially distanced with masks required. ...

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    2021 Apr 29

    Virtual Exhibition: A Walk in the Arboretum: Digital Photocollages by Amy Ragus

    Thu Apr 29 (All day) to Sun Jul 18 (All day)

    Location: 

    Arnold Arboretum—Online

    Photographer Amy Ragus specializes in multiple frame images of New England landscapes—digital photocollages. Before and during the pandemic, Ragus spent time in the Arboretum, particularly interested in its role as a public space, its open access to everyone. Her work captures the discoveries she found just off a road or path, as well as the people who share this space and enjoy nature throughout the seasons. Explore her sensitive, creative depictions of walks in the Arboretum in this virtual exhibition.

    ...

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    2021 Apr 28

    Tree Mob: Dredging to Renew the Ponds

    6:00pm to 7:00pm

    Location: 

    Arnold Arboretum—Online

    Maintaining ponds is messy business! Join Associate Project Manager Danny Schissler to learn about the history and upcoming restoration of two of the Arnold Arboretum's most well-loved water bodies, Faxon and Rehder Ponds. Both provide habitat for wildlife and visual delight for humans, and also are part of an essential drainage network within the Arboretum’s landscape.

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    2021 Apr 28

    What Spiders Have to Say

    6:00pm to 7:00pm

    Location: 

    Harvard Museum of Natural History—Online

    Consider the spider: eight legs, eight eyes, and a brain the size of a poppy seed. These are some of nature’s most amazing and charismatic creatures, and yet we know so little about their worlds. Paul Shamble will discuss the lives, habits, and marvelous morphologies of these animals—from sensory structures and cognition to locomotion and behavior. Understanding these creatures helps us better understand evolution and diversity—and leads us to ask what it means that even tiny animals inhabit complex lives.

    ...

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    2021 Apr 27

    Flap, Hop, Caw

    3:00pm to 4:00pm

    Location: 

    Harvard Museum of Natural History—Online

    Celebrate International Crow and Raven Appreciation Day by taking a virtual swoop through the Peabody Museum. These smart birds play games with each other, display anger and friendliness, and appear in cultural tales from around the world. Flap like a real raven with museum educator Javier Marin and learn more about the birds’ characteristics. Find ravens drawn or carved in Alaskan Native art, enjoy a read-aloud Tlingit tale and make a paper craft with Andy Majewski.

    Ages: 5–7 (with an adult, if needed)

    Cost: $3 members; $5...

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    2021 Apr 26

    Bark: Get to Know Your Trees

    6:00pm

    Location: 

    Arnold Arboretum—Online

    Due to popular demand, we are offering another session of this free webinar. Led by naturalist and conservationist, Michael Wojtech, you'll learn to identify tree species by their bark and discover why such a variety of bark characteristics exist. Why do some species have smooth bark, while on others it is thick and broken? Why does bark peel? Join us to find out!

    Learn more about and RSVP for "Bark: Get...

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    2021 Apr 20

    After-School Animal Encounters: Humans and Animals

    3:00pm to 3:45pm

    Location: 

    Harvard Museum of Natural History—Online

    Life on planet Earth can sometimes seem unbelievably diverse and resilient, yet we’re more aware than ever of how connected all living beings are to one another. This special Earth Week edition focuses on some of the challenges animals face today, and on what we humans—young and old—can do to help. This event will be fun for the whole family so bring your questions and sense of wonder, and join Javier, Ryan, and some of our amazing animals as they lead you in a live 45-minute program.

    ...

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    2021 Apr 19

    A Week-Long Celebration of Earth Day

    Mon Apr 19 (All day) to Fri Apr 23 (All day)

    Location: 

    Harvard Museum of Natural History—Online

    Join the Harvard Museum of Natural History in celebrating Earth Day with engaging sustainability-themed virtual events and activities for all ages. Join the conversation as Harvard students and experts weigh in on our most pressing environmental challenges, on cutting-edge research, and on promising paths to a more sustainable future. Introduce young minds to environmental science with our live museum animals and HMSC Story Time. Find out how to reconnect with nature and record the biodiversity in your local area. Or, simply indulge in our staff recommendations for...

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    2021 Apr 15

    Virtual Glass Flowers Tour

    6:00pm to 7:00pm

    Location: 

    Harvard Museum of Natural History—Online

    Join us for a virtual tour of the famous Glass Flowers! This docent-led tour will delve into the history, artistry, and significance of the collection and give participants the opportunity to explore the gallery online. These interactive tours are approximately one hour long, and offer time for questions and discussion with your tour guide.

    Cost: $8 members/$10 nonmembers per registration.

    Learn more about and RSVP...

    Read more about Virtual Glass Flowers Tour

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